SCOTTISH football legend Denis Law returned to his home town of Aberdeen yesterday to help remove hundreds of “No Ball Games” signs from the city’s parks.

“The Lawman” kicked off a new scheme which will permit football and other sports to be played in parks and community spaces.

The move will see the Granite City become the first in Scotland – and one of only a handful in Britain – not to have any such signs in its parks.

It is hoped the move will improve the health and wellbeing of children in the area by encouraging them to play outdoors. All of the restrictive signs are expected to be removed in time for National Play Day on August 3, 2016.

Related articles

Aberdeen Greenspace and the local authority should be commended for their work to remove these signs

Mike Summerbee

The campaign has been led by charity Aberdeen Greenspace, which is committed to regenerating city centre green spaces for community use.

Mr Law, who was joined by former Manchester City team-mate Mike Summerbee, said: “This is a brilliant initiative and one that is long overdue. It will open up community spaces throughout Aberdeen, enabling kids to kick a ball about freely with their friends, which is really important.

“Aberdeen Greenspace and the local authority should be commended for their work to remove these signs.”

The Manchester United hero added: “Providing children in some of the city’s most underprivileged areas with a sports ball to play with through the Aberdeen Ball Appeal is a fantastic way to mark the first of these signs being taken down.”

Aberdeen Greenspace chief executive Michelle Herd said: “Denis Law has inspired many generations of aspiring footballers. It is in spaces such as those that feature these signs that Denis would have learned some of his skills, so it is fitting he has officially removed this first symbolic sign.”